Rams officially lose OT Jake Long to another torn ACL

As the St. Louis Rams feared yesterday, it has been confirmed that Jake Long, the team’s left tackle, will miss the rest of the season. An MRI today confirmed that he has a torn ACL.

He was injured in the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It is the same leg that he also suffered another torn ACL in last season.

That’s two torn ACL’s in the past 10 months. If he’s able to overcome this latest one, it’s going to be hard for him to be a top player again.

This is a tough loss for the team, but may open the door for first-round pick Greg Robinson, who was the second-overall pick, to get the full-time job. He replaced Long at left tackle for the rest of the game.

He’s going to get a two-month audition to see if he can be the team’s left tackle moving forward. Robinson, who was the team’s guard, practiced in this position in September.

With Long out, it’s a very good likelihood that he’ll be released by the team in the off-season. He signed a four-year, $34 million contract with the team in March 2013.

Only $4 of his $9.25 million contract is guaranteed next season. He must be on the team’s roster on the fifth day of the league year in March to receive that money.

If Robinson is unable to play well during this time, the team will be forced to go to Rodger Saffold, who is dealing with a shoulder injury at the moment.